Automatic shoe shine apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic shoe shine apparatus, including a sequencer to selectively move a plurality of carriage assemblies having brushes and buffers as well as spray wax connected thereto to prebrush a shoe, apply a spray coating of wax of preselected color to said shoe, and repeat the movement of said crank arms to buff and polish said shoe for a predetermined number of times.

United States Patent Robert H. Cromwell, Sr.

13535 Bayliss Road, Los Angeles, Calif. 90049;

William T. Trevaskis, 13531 Bayliss Road, Los Angeles, Calif. 90049; Garland J. Dupler, 21046 Roscoe Blvd., Canoga Park, Calif. 91304 Appl. No. 768,125

Filed Oct. 16, 1968 Patented Jan. 26, 1971 inventors AUTOMATIC SHOE SHINE APPARATUS 16 Claims, 22 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 194/9, 15/31, 15/35 Int. Cl G07f 5/10 Field of Search 15/30, 31

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,009,220 11/1911 Burkhart 15/31 1,088,563 2/1914 Grafton 15/32 1,491,012 4/1924 Johnson v. 15/32 1,654,049 12/1927 Newton (15/30) 2,060,384 1 1/1936 Shearer 15/35 3,365,741 1/1968 Smagula 15/31 3,440,676 4/1969 Beck et a1. 15/31 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney-Huebner & Worrel ABSTRACT: An automatic shoe shine apparatus, including a sequencer to selectively move a plurality of carriage assemblies having brushes and buffers as well as spray wax connected thereto to prebrush a shoe, apply a spray coating of wax of preselected color to said shoe, and repeat the movement of said crank arms to buff and polish said shoe for a predetermined number of times.

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AUTOMATIC SHOE SHINE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While coin operated automatic shoe shine apparatus have been available in the past, they usually only consist of buffers which are applied to a shoe without benefit of an application of polish. Thus, the main function has been to buff the polish on the shoe at the time. This has not produced an adequate nor a complete shoe shine.

Further, the shoe shine apparatus presently available usually includes a buffer wheel which will only contact a portion of the shoe, such as the vamp, leaving the heel and instep unbuffed unless the user moves his foot into contact. Also, the prior art apparatus are usually only adapted to use a buffer or a brush and not the combination of the two.

ln order to effect a proper shoe shine, it is first necessary to clean the surface dirt from the shoe, apply a polish, and then brush the polish into the shoe, and finally, using a soft substance, buff the shoe to create a luster thereon. None of the prior art coin operated apparatus will accomplish all of these functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention includes within a single housing, apparatus and electric circuitry necessary to provide a shine to a shoe resting in a fixed position that duplicates a manual shoe shine in every respect. By the insertion of a coin into the housing, a sequencer will activate apparatus to prebrush, wax, brush and buff a shoe, and optionally, at the same time, vibrate the foot within the shoe. The vibration not only helps to produce a greater luster to the shoe but soothes the foot of the wearer.

A shoe resting on a foot pedestal will be preliminarily engaged by revolving brushes on carriages from each side which are timed to complete a pass from the front to the heel of a shoe and return to a starting position, as well as a vamp brush to engage the vamp of a shoe, at which time carriages holding cans of aerosol wax are activated to move toward the shoe and while moving the length of the shoe to apply wax thereto. The carriages holding the revolving brushes and vamp carriage are then electrically reactivated and the shoe is brushed similar to the first pass, then the brushes are moved out of position and a pair of buffers moved into position to engage the shoe for a number of predetermined passes. The carriage means used to move the brushes, buffers and the wax, includes a mechanical lever means and screw thread means which are activated through electric motor power, which will become more apparent during the following detailed description.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a completely automatic shoe shine unit wherein the shoe, resting in a fixed position, is pre-brushed, waxed, brushed and buffed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of shoe shine apparatus which includes a sequencer adapted to activate various mechanical apparatus in preselected sequences to accomplish the shoe shining operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a self-contained unit requiring no external apparatus necessary to accomplish the desired results.

These and other objects will be come apparent from the following description and drawings wherein:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a perspective view of the housing for the shoe shine apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of the sliding foot door mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 of the foot pedestal, side and vamp shoe brush and buffer assemblies;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially in cross section, taken on line M of FIG. 3 of the apparatus viewed in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3 of the side brush-buffer assembly and wax assembly;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view taken on line 6-6 of fig. 3, illustrating the cycling positions in phantom of the side brush and buffer assemblies during operation, and the position of the mechanical levers to accomplish the cycling;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view takenon line 7-7 of FIG. 4 of a portion of the side brush-buffer assemblies;

FIG. 23 is an elevational view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7, illustrating a heel alternator to guide the side brush-buffer assemblies around the heel of a shoe being shined;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the position of the wax carriage assemblies of the apparatus just prior to applying wax to a shoe;

FIG. I0 is a top plan view partially in phantom, similar to FIG. 9, illustrating the cycling position of the wax carriage assemblies as wax is applied to a shoe;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Il-Il of FIG. 7, illustrating a brush-buffer carriage assembly and locking mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 11, showing sprocket chain arrangements for moving a brush and buffer of the a s assembly illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 11, setting forth further details of the locking mechanism;

FIG. 14 is a back elevational view taken on line 14-14 of FIG. d, illustrating controls for the vamp brushbuffer carriage assembly;

FIG. 15 is an exploded end clevational view taken on line IS-IS of FIG. 4, ofa portion of the structure of FIG. 14, illustrating in phantom one position of the vamp brush and buffer;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, illustrating another position of cam means and rotation dampener of the vamp brush-buffer carriage assembly;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view, partially in cross section, taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 4, illustrating a vamp brush-buffer carriage walking assembly to assure complete brushing or buffing of a shoe vamp;

FIG. I8 is a view, partially in section, taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 17, of the walking assembly;

FIG. 19 is a rear elevational view taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 2, illustrating the foot door mechanism and the electromechanical safety interlock of the shoe shine apparatus;

FIG. 2b is an enlarged view of the aerosol can activation as sembly as illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view taken on line 21-21 of FIG. 20 of the aerosol wax cans and activation assembly; and

F IG. 22 is a schematic drawing of one form of electrical circuitry which may be used in the shoe shine apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT GENERAL DESCRIPTION In general terms, there is provided, as best seen in FIG. I, a housing generally designated 30, made of metal, plastic or other suitable material. The housing includes a pair of parallel spaced apart sidewalls 32, see FIGS. 1 and 5; a backwall 34, see FIG. 5; and a front wall 36. Adjacent the bottom of the housing 30, the front wall includes an outwardly projecting portion including a sloping top 36', and a front forward wall portion 36".

On the front panel 36, there is provided a conventional coin receiving slot 38, and coin changer receptacle 40. Additionally, there is preferably provided an assist bar 42 to be grasped by the user when the shoe of a wearer is being shined. Further, the panel 36 includes push bottoms 44 and 46 to select the color brown or black, and a third button 48 may be included which when depressed repeats the shine operatioi. for a second shoe.

There is an additional space provided on the upper portion of the front front panel 36 for printed instructions, advertising. etc. This indlcia may be illuminated by a conventional lamp (not shown) from within the housing.

In general operation, a coin is inserted into the coin slot 38, a sliding foot door 52 is moved out of an opening 54, and the shoe 55 of a wearer is inserted into the opening 54 and placed on a shoe support or pedestal 56 in position to be shined.

When the first cycle of shining is complete, the shoe is INITIAL OPERATION As a coin is inserted in the coin slot 38, it passes to a conventional coin box 58 (FIG. 22), which tests the authenticity of the coin. If the coin is acceptable, the coin box will close a normally open coin switch 60, schematically illustrated in FIG. 22, in a 120 volt line circuit.

There is a positive line 64, and a negative line 66. The coin switch 60 will allow current to flow along line 68 to door motor 70, which will activate the door 52 and move it from the opening 54 so that a shoe 55, shown in phantom lines, may be placed on the shoe support 56. The structure includes: the motor 70 being mounted on a motor plate 72 (FIGS. 2 and 19), which in turn is mounted to the front forward wall section 36" of housing 30 by means of spacer bolts 74. Extending from the motor 70 is a stub shaft 75 which includes a cam plate 78 joumaled thereon. The cam plate 78 includes a roller cam 80, which is inserted in an elongated track 82, formed between two spaced apart cam bars 84 and 86. The cam bar 86 is pivoted through pivot pin 88 to the door 52, and the cam bar 84 is stationarily mounted to the door 52.

The door 52 is mounted on rollers 90, which engage a guide beam 92, so that the door 52 rolls on the guide beam 92 out of the opening 54 as the cam plate 78 is rotated by the motor in the direction of the arrow, with the roller cam 80 bearing against the bar 84, thus causing the door to slide left as viewed in FIG. 19.

Preferably, when the door 52 is opened and the shoe 55 is placed on the shoe support 56 which is pivotable about pivot pin 57, slight downward pressure will cause a pair of switches 94 and 96 to be moved from a normally open and normally closed position (FIG. 22), respectively, by pivoting the bar 86 adverse to the tension spring 98, so that a vibrator motor 100 will be activated to vibrate the foot of the shoe wearer during the shining operations; additionally, switch 96 will open the circuit to the door motor 70, as an electromechanical interlock safety feature to prevent the door 52 from closing while the users foot is in the opening 54.

When the coin switch 60 is closed, it will be seen (FIG. 22), that preferably, a split-phase, capacitor start, reversible motor 102 is activated. The motor 102 will continue to operate during the entire shoe shining operation, and will operate a manual bilevel command unit or sequencer 400 (FIG. 4), motor reversing switch 404 (FIG. 22), as well as a brush and buffer assembly 106 for shining the shoe vamp, to be described.

SIDE BRUSH AND BUFFER ASSEMBLY Simultaneously with the activation of the main motor 102, two side brush and buffer motors 110 (FIGS. 3 and are activated and will remain in operation during the shining operation.

The motors 110 are adapted to drive a pair of side brush and buffer assemblies 112, each of which is identical in structure, and like references will be applied to corresponding parts.

Each of the motors 110 is mounted on a motor platform 114, (FIGS. 3 and 11), by means of screws 116, so that the axis of each motor is vertical. The platforms 114 each includes an elongated sleeve 113 at one end thereof which is adapted to receive a shaft 120 having an end 121journaled in a retainer 123. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the shaft 120 extends out both ends of the sleeve 118. The other end 125, remote from end 121 of shaft 120, is threaded and receives a washer I27 and nut 129.

Freely rotatable on the shaft is a sprocket wheel 122 adjacent shaft 121. The motors 114 each includes a relatively small sprocket wheel 124, and a sprocket chain 126 interconnects the motor 114 and wheel 122.

There is also joumaled on the sprocket wheel 122 a drive sprocket wheel 128 ofa diameter less than the wheel 122. This drive sprocket wheel, 128 is interconnected by a sprocket chain 130, with a pair of brush-buffer sprocket wheels 134, 136 to impart rotation to brush and buffer shafts 138, 140. These shafts 138 and 140 are mounted in bearing sleeves 142 and 144, which in turn are held by an elongated carriage plate 146. An idler wheel 147 is also preferably provided to be used with sprocket chain 130. The retainer 123 being secured to the housing 146 establishes a direct tie of the shaft 120 and carriage plate 146.

Mounted on the brush shaft 138 is a preferably circular brush 148, and on the buffer shaft 140 is a circular cloth buffer 150. The brushes I48 and buffers are releasably retained on the respective shafts by means of cap screws 152.

It is preferable to secure the brushes and buffers in place in such a manner that they can easily be replaced when they become worn.

Thus, it can be seen that with the activation of the respective motors 110, both the brush 148 and buffer 150 will be simultaneously rotated on each of the respective brush-buffer assemblies 114.

The normal or first position of the assemblies 114 is where the brushes 148 will engage the shoe 55 both to clean the dust off the shoe prior to applying the polish and subsequent thereto, to brush the polish. In order to move the buffers 150 into butting engagement with the shoe 55, it is necessary to reverse the positions of buffers and brushes, as seen in FIG. 5.

To accomplish the reversal of position of the brush I48 and buffer 150 of each assembly 114, there is provided a stop cam 154 having opposed lugs 155, and the cam is joumaled on the shaft 120 between washer 127 and nut 129. The stop cam 154 (FIG. 13), because of the torque exerted on the shaft 120 by the rotation of the brush 148 and buffer 150, will be urged in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 13. To prevent unwanted rotation of the housing 146, a stop means 156 is interposed in the line of travel of the lugs 155 of cam stop 154.

The stop means 156 comprises a latch including a jaw plate 158 mounted on the motor plate 114 and having a jaw 160. Pivotally mounted on pin 161 atop the plate 158 is a rotatable jaw plate 162 having a jaw 164. The plate includes an elongated extension tab 166 which is mounted to a conventional solenoid 168. Upon command, the solenoid 168 is momentarily activated, and the jaw plate 162 is pivoted to move the jaw 164 apart from the jaw 160, allowing a sufficient space for a lug 155 of cam stop 154 to rotate, causing the shaft 120 and housing 146 to revolve, thus causing a reversal of the carriage plate 146 and brush 148 and buffer 150. As soon as the lug 155 passes stop means 156, the solenoid 168 closes the jaws, and the opposed lug 155 will engage the stop 156, retaining the carriage plate in the new position until it is again reversed.

Tension springs 170 and 172 are provided to assure a biasing of the jaws and 164 toward each other when the solenoid 168 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 11, whereby rotation of the housing 146 is prevented.

It has also been found that for optimum efficiency in brushing and buffing a shoe, the brushes 148 and buffers 150 are preferably entered at a 10 angle to the horizontal line of travel, to be described. Thus, the entire side of shoe 55, which is seated on the support 56 at a slight inclination will be engaged.

CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the brush-buffer assemblies 112 are removed from a starting position, FIG. 5, to the position in FIG. 6, where the brushes 148 or buffers 150 are moved around the heel portion of the shoe 55, and then back again to the starting position.

In order to accomplish this horizontal brushing or buffing operation, there is provided a carriage assembly generally designated 180, illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 10.

Mounted at the rear of a base platform 182 of the housing 30 is a vertical support bracket 184 which includes adjacent its bottom end an opening 186 to receive an end of an elongated hollow circular mechanical screw housing 188. The other end of the housing 188 is secured to a front vertical bracket 190. The circular housing includes an elongated slot 192 extending horizontally therealong from front to back on the underside, FIGS. 4 and 7.

Within the mechanical screw housing 188 an elongated screw 194 is journaled in the front vertical bracket I90, and a cap 196 sealing the opposite end of the housing. This screw 194 is adapted for rotation, and a sprocket wheel 196 is jour naled thereon, engageable by a sprocket chain 200, which in turn is driven by motor 102. The screw 194 is externally threaded with the desired pitch.

Mounted on the screw 194 is a threaded nut 202 having complementary threads with the screw. Secured to the nut 202 around the screw 194 is a sliding bearing 204, circular in cross section.

Depending from the bearing 204 is a sliding carriage block 206 having a flange portion 208 which extends into the slot 192 and is fastened to the bearing 204.

On each side of the platform 206 there are pivot pin lugs 210 which extend downwardly. These lugs 210 are adapted to receive pivot cranks 212. Each crank 212 includes a relatively straight arm 214 and a curved arm 216. The straight arm 214 has a depending slide pivot lug 218 which slides and pivots within guide tracks 220, formed by a guide assembly 222 mounted on the base platform 182.

The free end of arm 216 is pivotally interconnected with a bracket 224, extending from the motor platform 114, and a rotating arm 226 by means of pivot pin 228. The free end of arm 226 includes a pivot pin 230 to which is pivotally connected a pivotable spacer bar 232. The spacer bar is pivotably fixed to the carriage block 206 by pivot pin 235.

There is also provided on each of the motor platforms a cam follower stop 234 which extends opposite the bracket 224. This follower stop 234 is adapted to engage a pivoted stop latch 236, FIG. 9, so that the entire brush and buffer assembly will swing to a position as illustrated in FIG. 10, to allow the wax spray to be applied without interference. The stop latch 236 is controlled by an elongated trip bar 238, which is generally normally biased in a position such as illustrated in FIG. 5, by a spring 240. The tripping of the trip bar 238 will subsequently be described.

Thus, with the activation of motor 102, the screw 194 is set in rotation and the carriage assembly 180 will be moved toward the front of the machine for a predetermined distance, and then the motor 102 reversed and the carriage moved rearwardly. With the forward and backward movement of the carriage, the brush and buffer assembly will also move and contact the shoe sides for shining.

In order to allow the brushes or buffers to extend around the heel of the shoe 55, there is provided a heel alternator means 242 (FIG. 8). This means 242 includes an elongated bottom plate 244, which is pivotally mounted to the base platform 182 by pivot pin 246. Mounted atop the plate 244 is an upper plate 248 pivotally mounted to plate 244 by pin 250. The other end of plate 248 is secured to a tension spring 252 which is in turn secured to the base platform 182. This assembly creates a flipflop alternator whereby, as the lugs 218 slide forward in the track 220, one of the lugs 218 will engage the forward stop surface 254, and the crank 212 will pivot, as best seen in FIG. 8, allowing the brush 148 on the right side to swing around the heel of a shoe. As the brush pivots about lug 218, the left lug 218 continues unobstructed in the track 220 until it engages the side cam surface 256 of plate 248 and will overcome the spring 252, and the plate 248 will pivot to the left, causing the lower plate 244 and stop surface 254 to be interposed in the left track so that on the next forward pass of the carriage, the left brush will move around the heel. Thus, alternately on succeeding passes, the brushes will move approximately halfway around the shoe heel.

WAX CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY On each side of the shoe support 56 there are provided two identical wax carriage arm assemblies 260. Each assembly 260 includes upper and lower outer pivot bars 262, 264, each being pivotally connected at one end to vertical front bracket by pivot pin 266. The other ends of bars 262, 264, are secured together by pivot pins 268. Projecting from pivot pin 268 is a support bar 270, to which is secured a wax can platform 272. Mounted on the platform 272 by any suitable clamp means, such as clamp bar 271 and bolt 273, is preferably an aerosol can of brown wax 274 and an aerosol can of black wax 276.

In order to activate the aerosol can of wax, the customer preselects the color by use of manual push button switches 44 or 46, and either brown solenoids 278 or black solenoids 280 are energized for a predetermined time on appropriate com mand, to be described, and a spray aiming actuator arm 282, which is secured at one end to the solenoid, and pivoted at the other end, will be depressed, which in turn will depress the spray head 284, which is interfitted within a notch 286 in the arm 282.

Additionally, the wax carriage arm assemblies 260 each includes a rear pivot bar 286 corresponding to the length of bars 262 and 264, and arranged parallel therewith. The bar 286 is pivotally connected to support arm 270 and tie bar 288. The other end of the tie bar 288 is pivotally connected to arm 262 by pivot 266.

In order to move the wax carriage assemblies 260, a pair of scissor bars 290 and 292 are utilized. The scissor bar 290 is pivoted to rear pivot bar 286 by pin 294, and the scissor bar 292 is pivoted to the other pivot bar 286 by pin 296. The scissor bars 290, 292 are pivotally interconnected together remote from said above described attachments by scissor pin 290, FIGS. 9 and 10.

When the assemblies 260 are in the open latched position such as seen in FIG. 5, the hooked ends 301 of the scissor bars 290, 292 are open wide; however, when the latch 300, FIG. 4, is released by means of a latch solenoid 302, the tensioned springs 304 will pivot the wax platform 272, support arm 270, and rear bar 286, inwardly to a position illustrated in FIG. 9, and at the same time, the scissor arms 290 and 292 will be urged rearwardly, closing the hooked ends 301 around scissor lugs 306 mounted on the carriage 206 so that the wax carriage assemblies 260 will each be pulled rearwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 10, and the wax can be spray applied to the shoeas the assembly progresses rearwardly.

When the spray wax has been applied, the wax carriage is returned to its starting position, the solenoid 302 is energized to engage the latch 300 and retain the carriage 260 in the position illustrated in FIG. 5.

In order to move the brush and buffer assemblies 112 out of the way, to the position shown in FIG. 10, the wax carriage assembly 260 will engage an upturned flange 308 on trip bar 238, which will pivot the stop 236 into engagement with the cam follower stop 234, and torque will cause the brush and buffer assemblies 112 each to swing outwardly, so that there is no interference with the wax spraying operation, as well as to prevent a direct application of the wax to the brushes 148 or buffers 150.

VAMP BRUSH AND BUFFER ASSEMBLY The vamp brush and buffer assembly 106 is to brush and buff the vamp portion of the shoe 55. Generally, the assembly 106 corresponds with oneof the side brush and buffer assemblies 112 in that there is a housing 316 having bearings 318 and 320 to receive rotatable shafts 322 and 324. Exterior of the housing 316 a circular shoe brush 326 and circular shoe buffer 328 are mounted on respective shafts 322 and 324. The other end of each shaft 322 and 324 has sprocket wheel 330, 332 journaled thereon. A sprocket chain 334 interconnects the wheels 330, 332, and is driven by drive sprocket wheel 336 mounted on main shaft 338.

The main shaft 338 is joumaled in bearing 340, which is secured in an opening 342 in vertical support bracket 184. A main drive pulley 344 is secured to the end of main shaft 338 remote from the housing 316. The motor 102, by a belt 346, will impart continuous rotation to pulley 344 through sprocket wheels 330 and 332, and to the brush 326 and buffer 328.

Frictionally mounted within the main sleeve shaft 338 is an inner shaft 348 which projects through the vamp brush-buffer housing 316, and at the other end it extends beyond pulley 344. This inner shaft 348, while not being directly driven by motor 102, will rotate by the torque emitted from the main sleeve shaft 338.

A yoke 350 is vertically slidably mounted to the vertical bracket 184 by means of bolts 352 which extend through elongated slots 354. There is an opening 356 in the yoke 350, through which passes the inner shaft 348. Mounted in opposed relationship on the yoke 350 is a fixed dog 358 and a spring mounted dog 360. These dogs 358, 360 are adapted to engage a vamp index cam 362 which is keyed on the inner shaft 348. This vamp index cam 362 is provided with a 90 cam recess surface 364 and a lock recess 366.

A damper means in the form of an arm extension 368 is keyed to the inner shaft 348 flush with the vamp index cam 362. The other end of the arm 368 is pivotally connected to a piston connecting rod 370 which projects into a conventional air cylinder 372. The cylinder 372 is pivotally connected to the vertical bracket 184 by means of cylinder pivot pin 374.

As the pulley 344 is rotated at a relatively rapid speed, the inner shaft if not dampened would also revolve at the same approximate speed of the index sleeve shaft 338. This is not desired in view of the cam operation; thus, the air cylinder 372 will dampen rotation and actually act as a brake to slow down the rotation of the inner shaft which is continually rotating. The arm extension 363 and connecting rod 370 are illustrated in three momentary positions, FIGS. 14, and 16, to illustrate that the constant rotation of the arm 368, or inner shaft 348, will be unaffected, no matter which direction the reversible main motor 102 is rotating. It will still apply a dampening to the rotation of inner shaft 348.

Turning now to the positions of the vamp brush 326 and buffer 328, there are three positions. The first position is illustrated in FIG. 14, where the brush 326 and buffer 328 are in horizontal alignment out of the way of the shoe 55. This position is required when the shoe is inserted in the machine and when the spray wax is being applied. The second position, illustrated in FIG. 15, shows the brush 326 engaging a shoe with the buffer in vertical alignment thereabove. The last position, FIG. 16, reverses the relationship illustrated in FIG. 15, and the buffer 328 engages the shoe vamp.

Again, as with the side brush assembly 112, torque of main sleeve shaft 338 would rotate the housing 316, but by use of vamp index cam 362, and cam followers 358 and 360, the rotation can be controlled and stopped. This control is exercised through the engaging and disengaging of the cam followers 358 and 360 with the 90 cam recess surface 364 or the recess 366.

In order to move the cam followers into and out of registry, a vamp solenoid 371 will be activated to move a lever 378, which is pivotally mounted on the vertical bracket 184, FIG. 14, which in turn cammingly engages yoke 350 so that it may move up and down. When the yoke is moved down, the cam follower 358 can engage, such as is illustrated in FIG. 15, to lock the brush-buffer housing 316, no matter which way the inner shaft 343 is rotating. Now, if the motor 102 is rotating in a counterclockwise direction at the moment, the cam follower 358, FIG. 15, will prevent movement of the inner shaft 348.

However, when the motor 102 commences to reverse its drive,

the solenoid 371 may be activated to disengage the cam follower 358, allowing the spring loaded cam follower 360 to ride on the cam until a recess is encountered by the cam follower, which it will engage either to allow I rotation of brush and buffer, or to lock the brush or buffer in a use position.

In FIG. 17, there is illustrated a vamp walking mechanism 380, which is provided to allow the brush 326 or buffer 328 to walk across the shoe 55, so that there is greater shoe vamp coverage during brushing or buffing.

This mechanism 380 includes an air cylinder 382 mounted on a bracket 384. which in turn is supported on the inner shaft 348. The cylinder 382 includes opposed pistons 386, which are spaced apart and are adapted for controlled movement, depending on the amount of air bled from the cylinder 382, through air valve 388. The cylinder 382 has an opening 390 in the side thereof to receive a damper follower 392, which is interfitted between the pistons 386 and secured to a plate extension 394 mounted on the housing 316. The plate extension 394 includes an elongated stiffening rib or bar 396. As the housing 316 itself is mounted on the main sleeve shaft 338, there is reciprocal movement between the cylinder 382 and damper follower 392. However, by controlling the escaping air from cylinder 382, the vamp brush 326, as seen in FIG. 17, will be allowed to pivot to the right approximately I5 from center, and then when the main motor is reversed, the vamp brush 326 will be allowed to pivot to the left approximately l5 from center. This will assure a complete coverage of the shoe vamp.

It will be apparent that the vamp walking mechanism 380' acts as a brake or stop to prevent complete free rotation of housing 316 about the shafts 338 and 348, while still allowing a total of 30 rotation.

SEQUENCER The sequencer, or bilevel command unit, generally designated 400, FIGS. 4 and 14, is in effect the timing or in dexing unit, to electrically activate the solenoids 168, 278, 280, 302 and 371, to cause the mechanical functions previously described. The sequencer 400 also controls the reversing of the main motor 102.

The form of sequencer 400 itself is not important so long as it is a type of timing structure capable of opening or closing limit switches 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412 (see schematic F IG. 22).

As a preferred sequencer 400, it has been found that a unit which is not dependent on the passage of time, such as clock actuated, but one that is controlled by mechanical position, is better adapted in the invention.

In the present invention, FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a housing 414 mounted on the vertical support bracket I84. Within the housing are mounted limit switches 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, which are adapted to be closed or opened by cams 416 mounted on a common shaft 418. The cams 416 will each engage a single switch and be of such construction that the switch can be activated for varying lengths of time during a cycle.

Rotation is imparted to the shaft 418 by means of a conventional ratchet and pawl designated 420. The pawl portion is secured to a connecting rod 422, which extends parallel to the vertical bracket 184 to a point where it is pivotally connected to an arm of bell crank 424. The bell crank 424 is pivotally connected to the vertical bracket 184 by means of pivot pins 426, FIG. 14. The depending arm 428 of the bell crank 424 is slotted at 430, and adapted to fit over a threaded extension index screw 432 of the screw 194. Secured to the arm 428 overlying the slot 430 is a threaded nut 434, adapted to engage the threaded extension index screw 432.

In order to drive the previously described sprocket wheel 198, a sprocket wheel 436 is mounted on vamp main sleeve shaft 338, and a sprocket belt 438 extends around wheels 198 and 436, so that rotation of vamp main sleeve shaft 338 by motor 102 will also impart rotation to screw 194 and exten sion screw 432.

Thus, the rotation of the extension index screw 432 will cause the bell crank 424 to pivot, which in turn will move the connecting rod 422 up or down, and the cams 416 will be rotated, opening or closing the respective switches.

It will be noted that the stroke of the bell crank 424 in either an inward or outward direction, is limited, so that when the stroke nears either the inner or outer end of the extension screw 432, the reversing switch 404 will reverse the direction of main motor 102, moving the bell crank in the reverse direction to a point where reversing switch 404 is again activated.

SUMMARY OF OPERATION As a coin is inserted within the coin slot 38, it passes into a conventional coin box 58, which will close switch 60, allowing electrical current to flow to the door motor 70, as well as main reversing motor 102 and side brush motor 110. The door 52 will open and when a shoe 55 is placed on support 56, switch 96 is opened to prevent the door 52 from closing on the foot. Preferably, also, a switch 94 is closed to activate a vibrator motor 100 to vibrate the foot while the shoe S is being shined.

With the activation of the main motor 102, the sequencer 400 begins operation by movement of the bell crank 424 and the side brush assembly carriage 180 will be activated to move the side brushes 148 against the sides of the shoe 55 for a prebrushing to clean the dust off the shoe.

After that operation, the sequencer will trip the vamp solenoid 371, the vamp housing 316 will be activated, and vamp brush 326 applied to the shoe vamp for prebrushing. The vamp solenoid 371 is then reactivated to move the vamp brush 326 and buffer 328 to the horizontal position, FIG. 3, and the latch solenoid 302 is released through switch 412 so that the wax carriage assemblies 260 each moves rearwardly, tripping the trip bars 238 so that the respective cam follower stops 234 engage stop latches 236, and the side brush assemblies 112 are moved out of the way, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The wax carriage assemblies 260 then continue along the path represented by phantom lines in FIG. 10, and the sequencer will activate switch 406 so that either solenoids 278 or 280, depending on the color desired, will preferably depress the head 284 of a conventional aerosol can of wax to spray the shoe 55.

When the stroke of screw 194 is reversed, the wax carriage assemblies 260 travel forward (toward the front of the housing), the latch 300 is engaged, and the assemblies 260 move to the position illustrated in H6. 5, and the cam follower stop 234 is disengaged so that the side brushes 148 are in position to engage the sides of the shoe 55.

At this point, the sequencer 400 allows the side brushes 148 to make several forward and rearward brushings of the side of the shoe 55. The number can be controlled and predetermined by a setting of the sequencer. Also, it may be preferred that the vamp brush 326 engage the vamp of shoe 55 simultaneously with the side brushes. This, of course, can be controlled by the sequencing of switch 408 controlling vamp solenoid 371.

When the brushing operation is complete, the position of the side brushes 143 and side buffers 150 are reversed, as is the position of the vamp brush 326 and vamp buffer 328, by means of activating switches 410 and 408, to activate side brush solenoids 168 and vamp solenoid 371, respectively. Then the side buffers 150 and vamp bufier 328 will make a predetermined number of passes against the shoe 55 for final shining.

At this point, the shoe shine is complete. In order to shine the other shoe of a wearer, it is necessary either to depress a push button 48, or to insert a second coin for the shining operation to repeat. The details of activating the second shoe shine are immaterial and a matter of convenience or choice, and do not form a part of this invention.

While reference has been made to the use of a vibrator motor 100 to vibrate the foot during the shine, such vibration is not essential to the invention and constitutes a mere preference and refinement.

Further, in certain weather conditions, the wax in the aerosol cans 274 and 276 may have a tendency to freeze, creating a malfunction. ln such case, heat lamps may be provided in the circuitry which can be in continuous operation, directing heat towardthe cans, or the lamps can be activated as the apparatus is activated.

Although we have herein shown and described our invention in what we have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of our invention.

We claim:

1. A shoe shine apparatus adapted to sequentially wax, brush and buff a shoe while being worn, comprising a shoe support, at least two wax carriage assemblies mounted in the region of said support with one assembly on each side of said support and including containers of aerosol wax, means for moving said wax carriage assemblies along the sides of a shoe on the support and for activating said containers of aerosol wax to apply the latter to said shoe, at least two side brushbuffer carriage assemblies mounted in the region of said support with one of such assemblies on each side of said support and each carrying a brush and a buffer, means for alternately positioning each brush and each buffer in contact with the sides of said shoe whereby said brushes and said buffers are adapted to sequentially brush and buff said shoe sides, means for rotating each brush and each buffer, a vamp carriage assembly mounted above said support and carrying a brush and a buffer, means for alternately positioning such brush and such buffer in contact with the vamp portion of said shoe, means for rotating such brush and such buffer sequentially to brush and buff the vamp portion of said shoe, and sequencer means controlling the operation of all said assemblies.

2. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said wax carriage assemblies each includes a platform upon which are mounted containers of aerosol wax, which containers embody spray heads having depressible valve mechanisms, and said means for moving said assemblies includes spring biased, pivotally mounted arm assemblies, a latching means for retaining said wax carriage assemblies away from said shoe, and said latching means connected to said sequencer means and controlled thereby, and said means for activating said containers of aerosol wax includes actuator arms adaptedto depress said spray heads and controlled by said sequencer means.

3. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said side brush-buffer carriage assemblies include drive means for rotating said brushes and said buffers independently of said sequencer means, and wherein each of said carriage assemblies includes stop means for alternating the positions of said brushes and said buffers relative to the sides of said shoe and said stop means controlled by said sequencer means.

4. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said carriage assemblies are adapted to move generally along the entire length of said shoe sides while said brushes and said buffers are rotating to alternately brush and buff said shoe sides.

S. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein a mechanical screw means driven by a power source is engageable by said carriage assemblies for movement along said shoe side.

6. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said vamp carriage assembly includes a drive means for rotating said brush and buffer independently of said sequencer means, and wherein said assembly includes stop means for controlling rotation of said carriage alternating the vertical position of said brush and said buffer relative to said vamp of said shoe and said stop means controlled by said sequencer means.

7. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said vamp carriage assembly includes a vamp walking mechanism adapted to allow controlled rotating swinging movement of said carriage to insure greater vamp contact by said brush and said buffer. 

1. A shoe shine apparatus adapted to sequentially wax, brush and buff a shoe while being worn, comprising a shoe support, at least two wax carriage assemblies mounted in the region of said support with one assembly on each side of said support and including containers of aerosol wax, means for moving said wax carriage assemblies along the sides of a shoe on the support and for activating said containers of aerosol wax to apply the latter to said shoe, at least two side brush-buffer carriage assemblies mounted in the region of said support with one of such assemblies on each side of said support and each carrying a brush and a buffer, means for alternately positioning each brush and each buffer in contact with the sides of said shoe whereby said brushes and said buffers are adapted to sequentially brush and buff said shoe sides, means for rotating each brush and each buffer, a vamp carriage assembly mounted above said support and carrying a brush and a buffer, means for alternately positioning such brush and such buffer in contact with the vamp portion of said shoe, means for rotating such brush and such buffer sequentially to brush and buff the vamp portion of said shoe, and sequencer means controlling the operation of all said assemblies.
 2. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said wax carriage assemblies each includes a platform upon which are mounted containers of aerosol wax, which containers embody spray heads having depressible valve mechanisms, and said means for moving said assemblies includes spring biased, pivotally mounted arm assemblies, a latching means for retaining said wax carriage assemblies away from said shoe, and said latching means connected to said sequencer means and controlled thereby, and said means for activating said containers of aerosol wax includes actuator arms adapted to depress said spray heads and controlled by said sequencer means.
 3. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said side brush-buffer carriage assemblies include drive means for rotating said brushes and said buffers independently of said sequencer means, and wherein each of said carriage assemblies includes stop means for alternating the positions of said brushes and said buffers relative to the sides of said shoe and said stop means controlled by said sequencer means.
 4. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said carriage assemblies are adapted to move generally along the entire length of said shoe sides while said brushes and said buffers are rotating to alternately brush and buff said shoe sides.
 5. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein a mechanical screw means driven by a power source is engageable by said carriage assemblies for movement along said shoe side.
 6. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said vamp carriage assembly includes a drive means for rotating said brush and buffer independently of said sequencer means, and wherein said assembly includes stop means for controlling rotation of said carriage alternating the vertical position of said brush and said buffer relative to said vamp of said shoe and said stop means controlled by said sequencer means.
 7. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said vamp carriage assembly includes a vamp walking mechanism adapted to allow controlled rotating swinging movement of said carriage to insure greater vamp contact by said brush and said buffer.
 8. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said stop means includes a cam and cam follower index means activatable through said sequencer means.
 9. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said sequencer means includes a plurality of cam operated limit switches driven by a power means.
 10. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is mounted in a housing and an opening is provided immediate the shoe support adapted to receive a foot and shoe therethrough whereby said shoe may be placed on said shoe support.
 11. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein a door is provided for said opening, and power means are provided to open and close said door.
 12. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein a coin operated switch is provided to activate said power means and in turn to activate said sequencer means controlling the operation of all assemblies.
 13. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein a vibrator means is provided to vibrate said shoe support during the operation of said apparatus.
 14. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein mechanical switch means are provided to repeat the sequential waxing, brushing and buffing of a second shoe while being worn.
 15. A shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said shoe support is canted upwardly from the horizontal and the side brushes and side buffers are each canted upwardly at an opposed angle to the cant of said shoe support whereby greater area contact with the sides of a shoe may be achieved.
 16. An automatic shoe shine apparatus adapted to sequentially wax, brush and buff a shoe while being worn, comprising a housing having an opening to receive a shoe, a shoe support mounted within the housing immediate said opening, two wax carriage assemblies mounted within said housing, one on each side of said support and including containers of aerosol wax having a spray head embodying a depressible valve, and spring biased, pivotally mounted arm assemblies for moving said wax carriage assemblies along the sides of a shoe on the support and including means to depress said spray head for applying aerosol wax to said shoe, two side brush-buffer carriage assemblies mounted within said housing, one on each side of said shoe support and each such assembly comprising a rotatable brush and a buffer, and means for sequentially presenting the brush and the buffer in contact with the sides of said shoe to brush and buff said shoe side, and further including independent power means to rotate said brush and said buffer, a vamp carriagE assembly mounted within said housing above said shoe support and comprising a rotatable brush and buffer, and means for sequentially presenting the brush and the buffer in contact with the vamp portion of said shoe to brush and buff said vamp, and further including power means to rotate said brush and said buffer, and sequencer means including a plurality of cam operated limit switches driven by said last mentioned power means controlling the operation of all said assemblies. 